General Counsel

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) is seeking a General Counsel (SES1). The General Counsel position provides expert support and advice to the President as the head of the AAT and from time to time will represent the Office of the President and the AAT in dealing with key internal and external stakeholders. The position also provides support and advice to the Registrar and AAT more broadly on legislative, law reform and policy matters through leadership of the Law and Policy branch.

We are looking for a highly motivated and resilient individual who has a demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver results in a dynamic working environment. You must be able to communicate with influence and build and maintain relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.  

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced lawyer to work at the centre of administrative law in Australia through a period of significant change. You will play an important role working closely with the President and Registrar to deliver the legislated objectives of the AAT.

You will work in a complex and fast-paced law environment with a key focus on managing legal risk and governance across the AAT. You will need to be abreast of developments in administrative law and proactively manage the AAT's position in relation to legislative, law reform and policy matters.

The President's Chambers are located in the Melbourne Registry. The successful applicant will not be required to work out of the Melbourne Registry but should expect to travel regularly to participate in key meetings and support the President in the conduct of his functions.

Salary is to be negotiated. 

More information about this position, the scope of the role, duties and required capabilities and experience, is contained within the position description for this role, available from the Working at the AAT page of our website, www.aat.gov.au.

Position Eligibility Requirements:

The AAT requires Australian citizenship as a condition of engagement. All employees are required to undertake an Australian Federal Police Check and a health assessment.

The successful applicant will also be required to:

• Have or be willing to obtain and maintain the required security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 2
• Completed tertiary qualifications in law (including administrative law or other areas of law relevant to the Tribunal), admission as an Australian lawyer and eligibility to hold an unrestricted Australian practising certificate

How to apply:

Applications must be lodged by selecting apply below. You are required to respond to the capabilities and experience indicated within the Position Description. Your responses should be limited to a maximum of 400 words per required capabilities and experience item. Please note that applicants who do not address the required capabilities and experience will not progress to shortlisting.

Your Resume/CV should not exceed 4 pages in total.

Applications will be accepted until 11:45 pm (AEDT) on Monday, 4 March 2024.

Please contact our recruitment team on (02) 9276 5*** or ***********@aat.gov.au should you require assistance with accessing our website or with lodging your application.

Contact Officer:

Any questions about this position should be directed to Michael Hawkins on ***************@aat.gov.au

Position Notes:

Order of merit list/merit pool: A merit list/pool of suitable candidates may be created from this process. Suitable candidates on this merit list/pool may be contacted in relation to identical or similar ongoing roles in the AAT, or the broader APS, within 18 months from the date of gazettal.

Working for the AAT:

Play your part in the important work of providing a mechanism for the review of Government decisions affecting people’s lives.

The AAT is a Commonwealth Government agency that performs a key function in the Australian system of administrative law. We offer career opportunities to talented people with diverse skills and backgrounds. We are committed to a positive culture that is supportive, inclusive and rewards effort. Like the cases we are asked to review, our work is varied, complex and meaningful. It has a clear impact on the people and communities around us.

As a small and dynamic agency within the Australian Public Service (APS), our staff have opportunities to progress their careers through acting opportunities and secondments. We empower our people to build their capabilities through continuous learning. We provide a range of flexible work options and holistic health and wellbeing support. Our competitive employment package includes generous leave provisions and a 15.4% employer contribution to superannuation. For more information about these and other conditions of employment refer to the AAT Enterprise Agreement. 

About the AAT:

The AAT plays a crucial role in the Australian legal landscape, providing a process for individuals and organisations to seek an independent review of decisions made under a wide range of Commonwealth laws.

The AAT can take a fresh look at decisions made by Australian Government ministers, departments and agencies – and, in limited circumstances, decisions made by state government and non-government bodies. It also can review decisions made under Norfolk Island laws.

The AAT comprises members, the independent statutory appointees who hear review applications, and staff, who provide services to support applicants and the review process, as well as the Tribunal’s daily operations.

The AAT will be transitioning to a new merits review body, to be called the Administrative Review Tribunal, in 2024.

You can learn more about the AAT here. Information about the reform of the federal administrative review system can be found on the Attorney-General’s website.